Yes, all content on the Marketplace needs either a silver membership or gold membership in order to download content, also remember that one needs a connection to the Microsoft's Xbox Live servers in order to use Xbox Live at all.
To get Minecraft for free, you need to download it on Xbox.
Yes. It's the only way you can get it. I believe you need to have Xbox Live to buy it, because you can not get Minecraft as a retail version, so yes I believe you do need Xbox Live to get Minecraft.
no
No, you do not need xbox live you only need the points to play minecraft (1600-$20)
No, the Xbox version of Minecraft is for Xbox360
Usually on Xbox live, all updates are free. So you won't need to pay for the updates.
To originally purchase Minecraft yes, but from then on it can be run without Live!
You can play the Minecraft Beta demo by finding the PC Gamer demo on their website. In order to play the full game though, you will need to purchase it from the Minecraft website.
Yes, you need to be on live to use the Game Marketplace in order to buy Minecraft.
I believe no. i am a Minecraft pro on the PC version but i don't you need it. maybe for multiplayer. and minecraft is better on the pc.
You have to have xbox live. Sign into your Xbox live account, then go to the game marketplace, then go to A-Z or whatever, then go to M, scroll to the right, find minecraft! You will need to buy a prepaid microsoft points card. Minecraft is 1600 microsoft points. You can also purchase microsoft points from ur xbox.
Yes, I am pretty sure that you can. You need a Minecraft or website account to play the demo I think, if you didn't know that already. Hope this helped! :)